Semaphore-signal for railways



(No Model.)

J. W. LATTIG.

SBMAPHORE SIGNALVFOR RAILWAYSV No. 545,701. Patented Sept. 8,1895.

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' Z65 Jzza ITED STATE P TENT SEMAPHORE-SIGN AL FOR RAILWAYS.

STECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 545,701, datedSeptember 3, 1895.

7 Application filed January 5,1895. Serial No. 533,934- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JABOB, W. LATTIG, a citizen of the United States,residing at West Bethlehem, in the county-of Lehigh and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a newand useful ImprovementinSemaphore-Signals for Railway and other Purposes, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention has for its object to obtain an efficiently illuminatedsemaphore-arm for use in night signaling.

The invention will first be explained by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, and will then be specifically pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a semaphore-post provided with apivoted semaphore blade or arm equipped in accordance with my invention.Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the arm.

I omit from the drawings a representation of the system of levers andpull-rods for operating the semaphore-arm, this forming no part of myinvention. Any suitable appliances can be used for the purpose.

A is the semaphore-post, and B is the semaphore-arm pivoted thereto atb, and consisting of the usual spectacle casting b, to which the arm orblade proper b is attached. To this extent the arm does not differ fromother semaphore-arms now in use. Extending along the longitudinal centerof the semaphore-arm is a row of incandescent electric lamps h. Theselamps are secured by their sockets to the semaphore-arm, and are placedpreferably at intervals apart of a footthroughout the length of theblade.

The lamp-terminals on one side are connected to awire 1,common to all.On the other side each lamp-terminal has its individual wire leadingandfconnected to a stationary brush pertaining to that lamp-terminalalone, there being as many brushes (numbered 2 to 7, inclusive) as thereare lamps. These brushes are arranged as the stationary contacts of acommutator around a rapidly-rotatingcontact or trailer 8, which meetsthe brushes successi'vely, preferably making contact with the one inadvance just before it quits the one next in rear, to prevent arcing atcontacts. The rotating contact is intended to revolve continuously whenin action, being driven for this purpose by any suitable motor,electrical or otherwise. Where direct currents are employed, I prefer anelectrical motor to run the commutator. Where alternating currents areemployed,'I prefer a mechanically-operated commutator, the mechanicalmottorin the present instance being clock-work typified by the cord andweight X. The'wire 1, by a flexible cable w, is connected to the wire 9on the post leading to one pole of the source of electrical supply, theother pole of which is connected to the revolving commutatorcontact-disk 8 by wire 10. There is a similar flexible connection 00',00 850., between the individual lamp terminal-wires and their respectivestationary contact springs or brushes 2, 3, (be. The flexibleconnections w, as, 00 &c., are for the purpose of permitting the freemovement of the semaphore-arm onits pivot. A switch Y is provided tomake and break the circuit, as desired. When the circuit is closed at Yand the commutator in action, the lamps will suecessively be broughtinto circuit, one during each revolution of the commutator-disk. Theeffect upon the eye of the observer, owing to the rapid rate of movementof the trailer 8, will be a streak of light running from end to end ofthe semaphore-bladeintermittently, no matter what may be the position ofthe arm, whether inclined or straight. The light may be white, red,green,'or any other color desired.

The arrangement, while producing the impression of a continuously-movingstreak of light, economizes current materially, as the quantity ofcurrent consumed will not exceed materially, if at all, that required tomaintain a single constant light. Alight may be placed behind thespectacle-glass in the casting b if desired, and this light may be madeto take its turn along with the rest by providing suitable commutatorconnections for it;

I am aware that contin uously-burnin g electric lights have beenplacedin a line upon each face of a semaphore-blade rotatable upon itslongitudinal axis to expose one face or the other of the blade to theapproaching train, according to the position of the blade. Thisarrangement, besides involving the expense attending the constantburning of a large number of lights, is defective in that it requiresthe arm to have always the same precise range of movement up and down inorder to insure the proper rotation of the blade upon its longitudinalaxis; but inasmuch as in practice the semaphore-arm is irregular in itsup and down movement, and is liable, owing to climatic changes and othercondition, to move through a different number of degrees at one timethan at another, it would be practically impossible to secure the exactdegree of rotation of the blade upon its longitudinal axis needed toproperly display the line of lights upon that one of its faces which itmight be desired to expose to the coming train. Under my improvementsthese objections are overcome. The same line of lights is exposed to thetrain at all times, and those lights are not continuous, butintermittent. Not only is there economy in this last feature, but also anew eifect in railway signaling. The rapidrunning intermittent streak oflight produced by the rapid movement of the trailer-contact makes a verymuch more distinctive signal and will more readily attract the attentionof the engineer. The signal becomesin eitect an automatic flagman,tostop or start a train by movements similar to those employed by theflagman with his lantern or flag for the same purpose. I am also awarethat a commutator has been combined with incandescent lamps foradvertizing purposes to illuminate successive panels havingadvertisements. I claim none of these things; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination with a pivoted semaphore arm and its support, of a rowof electric lamps attached to and extending lengthwise of the arm, acommutator, a motor for rapidly driving the movable member of saidcommutator, a source of electrical supply and electrical connections,substantially as described whereby whenever and so long as thecommutator is in operation the lamps on the semaphore arm will beintermittently and successively put in circuit so as to produce upon theeye the effect of a continuously moving streak of light runninglengthwise of the semaphore blade, substantially as hereinbefore setforth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 3d clay ofJanuary, 1895.

JACOB XV. LATTIG.

Witnesses:

EDWARD J. MALLOY, JAMES GRAHAM.

